Apparatus for applying heat for therapeutic and other purposes



A. POT

Aug. 30, 1932.

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING HEAT FOR THERAPEUTIC AND OTHER PURPOSES Filed Feb. 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY APPARATUS FORMAPPLYING HEAT FOR THERAPEUTIC AND OTHER PURPOSES Filed Feb. 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I L M {4 5 25 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR POT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y, ASSIGNOR OF FORTYj-NINE ONE-HUNDREDTHS TO WILLIAM S. JENNINGS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND FIFTY-ONE ONE-HUNDBEDTHS TO HENRY JAMES LEVELL, F MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK APPARATUS FOR APPLYING HEAT FOR THERAPEUTIC AND OTHER PURPOSES Application filed February 10, 1928.

My present invention relates to an improved apparatus for the generation and application of heat for therapeutic and other purposes. The form of-the apparatus shown is primarily intended forthe generation and application of heat for therapeutic purposes such'as for baking the arms and legs or parts of the body for the cure of arthritis mid other ailments but, of course, the invention in its broader aspect is not limited to this particularform or useof. the apparatus.

'Whereas a heat of 130 or 140 degrees F ahrenheit in the usual therapeutic heat treatment apparatus-is liable to burn the patient, a far higher temperature, such as 220 degrees Fahrenheit, can be used in my present apparatus with'entire'safety to the patient and with far more rapid and extraordinary therapeutioefiects due to the safe use ofthe higher temperatures. Indeed, temperatures as high as 27 fi-degrees Fahrenheithave been safely used with rny apparatus. As will be explained-later, this is doubtless due to the substantial elimination of the irritating or burning heatwavesbrOught-abOHt by the means used for generating-andmodifying-the heat in my apparatus.

' In the usual therapeutic heat-treating apparatus, the flesh-must be bandaged to protectit from the direct'action of the heat; and any sweating that occurs from any of the exposed parts leads toburning. Despite the much 'liigher'temperatures usable with my apparatus, the flesh need not be bandaged and there is no'burning even if there-be pro fuse sweatin Since profuse sweating is desirable in the heat treatment of most ailments, it will be evident that my apparatus has the great advantage that there can be profuse-sweating without'leading to burning. If the part during the heat treatment by my apparatus does not sweat at all or insufficient- 1y, I have discovered-that I can artificially induce a satisfactory sweating of the parts by applying suction to the heating chamber for a suitable time interval sufiicient to accomplish the result.

Furthermore, the shape and constructive features and details of my apparatus are im- Serial No. 253,291.

portant, as will hereinafter appear or will be evident to those skilled in the art from the following description in connection with the drawings.

In the drawingsfl ig. l is a perspective view of my apparatus in apreferrcd form adapted especially for therapeutic treatment of the legs and arms; Fig. 2 a. perspective view of the fabric-covered frame which is removably insertableinto the apparatusshownain Fig. 1

through its large end; Fig. 3 is a-longitudinal vertical section through theapparatus shown in Fig. 1, also showing in elevation the suction pump andconnections for reducing the air pressure within the. heating apparatus Fig. 4 is a transverse section, partly in elevation, on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 isla transverse section through the fabric-covered frame of Fig. 2; and'Fig. 6.is a diagram of the electrical circuits of the heating system.

Describing now my invention by wayof the devices illustrated in the drawings,-1 is a. container madepreferably of sheet iron, having the general shape shown inFig. 1 and perhaps best described as consisting in its preferred formof an elongated rectangular box-like portion 1 on top of anelongated cross-sectionally-tapering mainportion 1". The two side-lines on which said-top. and main portions 1 and 1 are joinedare designated 1; and it willbe understood'thatrsaid top and main portions 1 and-1" freely=connect with each other interiorly without any septum or partition between them. I

2 is a metallic chamber'made ofcopper or some other metal ormaterialhavingt-he'heatconducting and heat-modifying properties of copper. This metallic chamber. has the same general shape as the containerl but smaller so as to fit inside saidcontainer with about a one inch space all around between them. The container 1 of the'particular apparatus from which the drawings were made is 34:: long, 17" high at the large end, and 13" high at the small end. For practical purposes I at present prefer to make the chamber 2 in the apparatus shown of sheet copper 18 B & S gauge.

The aforesaid space between the container 1 and chamber 2 houses thefollowing-eleresistance wires 4 preferably ma-deuot' No 28 B & S gaugeNi-chrome resistance w re. The electric light wires 5 (compare FigsfB and 6) preferably controlled by a switch (not shown) come through the top of'the apparatus andconnectwith the aforesaid resistance wires l. These latter extend in said space horizontally back and forth as. indicated dia-- grammatically in Fig. 6 from near one end of the apparatus to near the other end adjacent the thin mica layer covering the sides of the top'and main portions 2 and 2" of the copperheating chamber 2. Preferably, as shown in Fig; 4, there are no heating wires applied to either'the top or the bottom of the heatingchamber; Filling the remainder of the aforesaid one inch space between the copper heating chamber and the sheet iron container at the'sEdes,-top and bottom are layers of asbestos 6'. At the 'top of the' apparaus a rectangular opening'is'iormed through both the container land the copper chamber 2, 'inwhich open ing is framed a glass' ane-Z which preferably seals the o ning substantially air-tight so far especial yassealing the heating chamber 2*is-concerned.

' It= will'be understood that' the small end of the container 1 and-of the copper chamber 2 'is'in each instance sealedor closed by being-provided with an end wall or closure. On the'other hand;- the large endof each is open t0' permit the insertion "therethrough of the part'or article to be treated. Also, it willbe understood that the chamber 2 is preferably secured-= permanently within the container 1"as' described. 18' (Fig. 3)' is =a Wooden frame secured in any suitable manner to themouth of said open end'of the apparatus, and 9 is an intermediate rubber gasket.- 10 is a'sleeve of flexible air-tight rubberized or equivalent fabric surrounding and secured at one end to the aforesaid -wooden* frame bya cord orw'ire 11 located in a-groove in said frame and serving to tie said sleeve substantially air-tight tothe frameand the mouth ofthe copper heating chamber.

'12 (Fig. '3) 'is'a'nip ple leading through the closed'end' of the container 1 and'having an fair-tight connection with the heating chamber 2; By means of this nipple the hose pipe 13 of the hand-operated suction pump '13 is properly connected to exhaust the air when needed from the interior of the heating chamber 2; The latter, it will be understood is made with air-tight seams. Also, as already 'indicated, dueprecaution is taken to prevent-anyair leaks :into said chainb'er via ing the fabric-whensoiled;

ber by operating the hand pump 13.

The entire apparatus maybe conveniently supportcd, r-.s' shown, on f our wheels 14 so as' to be readily movable along-a table or 'platforin to apply orremove'it from the part being treatedw The particular heating'means 4 shown diagrammaticallyin Fig. 6 comprises two units,

one unit indicated by the dotted lines 4 and the other unit hythe full lines 4. A controllin switch-15 is provided so thatfor a reduce heat only one unit need be 0perated,-whereas for higher heat .both units may .be operated simultaneously. For simplicity, the diagram (Fig. 6) shows only one circuit of-electrical heating resistanceiwire 4in;each heating unit connected-acro s the electric light wires "5. As a matter .offact, in the actual apparatus illustratedfin theidrawings, thereare seven circuits ofelectrical heating resistance wires 4 in each=hating;unit.connmted in multiple across the'electric-light wires 5;: ":"1 The above referred to heat.contr0ller isa switch 15h avin'g arotatable member provided with two-metal'ar'cuate parts 15% and 15".

-When in the position'shown inzFig. 6 only the shorterpart 15 completes "the circuit of only one of the-heating units, namely. the one indicated by the dotted lines 4. Obviously, by virtue of the wiie shown Fig.'6,- both the dotted and-full linetcircuits=4 will be thrown into operation when the switch member is ro tated 90 degrees 'in anti-clockwise idi're'ction, whereby the longerpa'rt-15" will be causedto bridge acrossfandelectrically-complete both the dotted and the full line heating circuits 4'. The apparatus is 's'uchthat a temperature of about 270 degrees Fahrenheit isaprocurablein the copper heating chamberl2 by applying 650 watts to the-heating means 4-. -Either alter.- nateo'rdir'ectcurrentmay be-uSeda 16 i s a pilot lamp connected acrossIthe-electrio light wires:5 (Fig. 6)- to indicate-to the operatoriwhether. or not thecurrent-is on in the apparatus. 5. r;

Finally, I provideineans forcomfortably supporting and. at the-same time keeping the part-being treated out ofzdirect contact .with the copperchamber 2 consisting preferably'of a hollow wireframe 17 covered-'with-fabric 18. Also, the bottom of-the framesupports a cushion 19' for comfortably supporting the part. The fabric,- of course, completely covers the frameso thatonly'the'fabric comes-in contact with the patient. -.Theframe-lias thegeneral shape of the copper chamber 2-but sufliciently smaller so as to be readily insertableand-removable tberefrom for the purpose of chang With the apparatus constructed as indicated, temperatures rangin; from 200 degrees or lower to 270 degrees Fahrenheit and even higher are obtainable inside the copper chamber 2. A thermometer 20 (Fig. supported on top of the fabric-covered frame, viewable through the window 7. SllOAS the temperature at any given moment, and this temperature in turn can be controlled by suitably opcratmg either the switch 15 or the other switch (not shown) by which the electric heating resistance wires 4 are connected with the electric light wires 5.

The reason why my present 1nvcnt:on makes possible the use of so much higher temperatures than the usual heat treatment apparatus without burning effects is due to number of considerations. Among these is the method of generating and transmitting the heat from the heating source. Also, the shape of the heating chamber, etc.

Thus, the heating means heats the part, article or substance within the apparatus not directly but only indirectly after the heat from the source 4 or other suitable substitute heating means has passed intr: the copper shield constituting the walls of the chamber 2 and is then radiated therefrom to heat the contents of the said chamber. During this passage of the heat through said copper shield, the burning heat rays become transformed into non-burning rays. I claim as equivalents of copper in connection with my invention for said indirect source of heat for heating the chamber of my apparatus, or in connection with my process, any other metal or material having substantially the ability of copper to transmit the heat from the initial source with substantial elimination of burning action therefrom.

The tapering cross-sectional shape of the heating chamber 2, including the use of the heretofore described top portion 2 of said chamber works against any tendency to burn the part being heat-treated within the chamber. The same can also be said of applying the heating means to the sides only of the chamber as distinguished from its top and bottom. The foot, especially the heel, and the shin portions of the legs are especially sensitive to heat treatment and the foregoing helps in this regard.

The thin layer of mica 3 prevents the electrical heating resistance wires 4 from becoming short circuited by the copper chamber 2 in case defects develop in the asbestos insulation of said wires; but whether the mica has any transforming action on the heat Iii-re the copper wall of said chamber, I have not as yet ascertained, but that is possible.

The asbestos 6 keeps in the heat and vice versa prevents loss of heat to the outside of the apparatus.

To practise my invention, the electric cur rent is turned on to the wires 5 and the switch 15 isadjustedztoenergizerither or both of-thenheating units,:depending-rlon the degree of-heat desired iorithe rpanticular purpose in. hand: l'vh'enathe thermometer shows that the desired 'heatzhas been uatr0 tained in the chamber;2,zthe.part:toabe tr'eated, such-.as .the arm is insertd'intosaid chamber through the rnbber'sleev, which latter is then wrapped snugly-about the-arm.

. The duration ofthe't-reatment mayzbe fifteen or twenty minutes .on lon ersd'epending upon the effect to beaccomplis hed. The pant can be-xvatchedlthrdugh theiw'indow 'l; I nI the part .does not sweat'or in case more pro- .fusesweating is' wantcd,'the-'-0perator\i1ses the suction pump 13tozmore a01l8$$ evacuate the fluidic-flcontents or 'atmosphere ifithe heating chamber 2 which .lffindropensnthe pores-and startsprofuse sweating. Usually holding .the vacuumnin:therheafiingechamber fox-a 1 few minntes ris;-sufiioient:.:for'*thi$pnrpose, whereupon *itrmay be're'leased. ;V."hai:-.I =claim:is::} g l'-=' :1. Therapeutic :heating apparatus-iconip risi ngihe :coinbinahiomof'zaametiilih-bh'ambar for receiving avibhiandttthe-rpzrt-ito be treated andmade' of a'un'etal'such: aaioopper; insulated electrical :re'sistanceheat:in writing applied exteriorlyi'toi'thb sides: metalliczc'hax'nberaas distinguished from itsggs. top and bottom; and a heat-confining container enclosing all of the foregoing; removable means within said metallic chamber for receiving into it the part to be treated to prevent direct contact between said part and.- aco the metallic chamber; and a transparent window through the to of said enclosing container and said metallic chamber.

2. Therapeutic heating apparatus comprising the combination of a metallic chamher for receiving within it the part to be treated and made of a metal such as copper; insulated electrical resistance heating wiring applied exteriorly to the sides of said metallic chamber as distinguished from its Am top and bottom; a heat-confining container enclosing all of the foregoing; and a transparent window through the top of said enclosing container and said metallic chamber.

3. Therapeutic heating apparatus com- 43.15 prising the combination-of a metallic chamher for receiving within it the part to be treated and made of a metalsuch as copper; an enclosing container for said chamber, said containerand chambercombinedly hav- A320 ing an opening through them closed by a." window; and insulated electrical resistance heating wiring located in the space between the inside of the container and the outside of the metallic chamber.

4. Therapeutic heating apparatus of the class described comprising the combination of a chamber surrounding the part to be treated and substantially cutting off circulation of outside air through said chamber; F

"and a heating element with a suitable cuprous metal shield therefor between said element and said chamber arranged to heat -.-,the interior of said chamber substantially only by the radiation from said shield.

1: 5.;Therapeutic heating apparatus of the jclassdescribed. comprising the combination ota chamber surrounding the part to be -treated and substantially. cutting ofi circulation ofoutside air through said chamber; -;and heating means arranged and adapted ;toi heat the interior of said chamber substantially only by heat radiated from mate- --rial=-having the property of transforming burning heat rays and radiating same in 1 substantially nonburning form.

(L'I'herapeutic. heating apparatus of the class described comprising the combination -'-of' a cuprous metal walled chamber surrounding the part to-be treated and substan- =tially cutting off circulation of outside air through said chamber; and a heating element arranged and adapted to indirectly heat the interior of said chamber substantially solely through the .cuprous metal of said wall and by;rad.iation from said metal.

;-; .Signedrat New York in the county of New =:Y ork and State .of New York this of February A. D."1928.

9th day ARTHUR POT. 

